South Africa’s diverse economy, political landscape and strategic role in Africa creates a unique business and regulatory environment.

Every two weeks, the Dentons South Africa Newsletter will keep you abreast of issues that affect doing business in South Africa, across the African continent and around the world, in a collection of articles, legal updates, alerts, and guides.

Dentons to separate from its Russia offices

Dentons is to begin the process of separating from its offices in Moscow and St. Petersburg, which will operate as an independent law firm. “We stand with the people of Ukraine and have done everything in our power to assist our Ukrainian colleagues, their families, and other civilians displaced by the war,” said Tomasz Dabrowski, Dentons Europe Region CEO.

“We share the news of our separation process from our offices in Moscow and St. Petersburg with deep regret. We will support our 250+ colleagues in Russia in achieving a smooth and orderly transition in accordance with our professional obligations to our clients.”

Read more.

Dentons raises €385,000 to fund emergency aid for Ukrainian people

Global law firm Dentons has raised more than €385,000 in donations through its registered charitable foundation, the Dentons Europe Foundation, to fund emergency relief for Ukrainian families and children displaced by the war. The fund includes donations from Dentons people and offices around the world.

The Dentons Europe Foundation has already dispersed donations totaling €120,000 to 16 NGOs in Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary and Germany, which are providing emergency aid on the ground to assist children and families in Ukraine and those fleeing the war.

Read more.

The AI trilogy series, Part 2

Developing your AI strategy: the key areas you need to consider

The second instalment in our AI trilogy series will provide practical advice on how organizations can approach deploying AI in the business, the key steps to develop your AI strategy and the major components you need to consider to maximize the value that AI can bring to your organization, while avoiding the potential pitfalls.

Our industry-leading panelists will provide their views and experience on how companies can balance the lack of certainty regarding the regulatory environment but also the clear business benefits AI can bring. We will also discuss practicalities about what controls organizations can design now to support AI being deployed.

Our survey found that, while 60% of respondents were using AI in some form, just under 20% have a strategy they are executing against, while another 23% are currently formulating one. The lack of strategic focus can mean that AI is being implemented without due consideration of the risks, the relevant legislation or the internal controls required to ensure it is well governed.

Register for our AI webinar here.

Environmental, Social, and Governance

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues are currently at the forefront of corporate thinking, as a source of risk and opportunity. The regulation around ESG is coming thick and fast and Dentons is uniquely equipped to provide the solutions that our clients need across every region of the world. We understand that addressing the ESG agenda requires cross-practice perspectives to be integrated and solutions to be holistic – and this is what we offer.

For more information on how Dentons focuses on ESG, please visit our newly refreshed website.

Mandatory Vaccination Policies

Employers implementing mandatory vaccination policies and Covid-19 testing for employees returning to the workplace, have a responsibility in maintaining a balance between the compliance of its occupational health and safety requirements, and the unduly encroachment on the constitutional rights of its employees.

The recent judgement delivered by the Labour Court dismissing a challenge to an employer's vaccination policy, reiterates the importance of proper measures being put in place by an employer, in accordance with the Consolidated Direction of Occupational Health and Safety. It also gives rise to healthy conversations and debates given there are no clear-cut scenarios. Each matter is addressed case by case.

To read up on the judgement, click here.

Cybercrimes Act & POPIA: Managing Data Security and Privacy

South Africa’s Digital and Media Partner, Diana Schwarz contributed in a panel discussion on how POPIA interacts with the Cybercrimes Act and surrounding laws, and how companies are currently working to comply with the existing provisions. Brought to you by OneTrust DataGuidance.

Register and watch the webinar here.